Homemade Smoked Paprika Wedges With Reduced Fat Sour Cream and Chive Dip

These homemade smoked paprika chunky wedges are a healthier alternative to fried chips.  They are perfectly crisp, tasty and so easy to make.  The reduced fat sour cream and chive dip is delicious too.

20160131_152145_Fotor2

Ingredients

2 or 3 large baking potatoes

olive oil

1-2 tsp of smoked paprika

freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to season

Reduced fat sour cream and chive dip:

150ml pot of reduced fat soured cream

Freshly cut chives

Method

  • Preheat your oven to 200˚C. Put a large pan of salted water on to boil.
  • Scrub the potatoes and then cut into 8 chunky wedges.
  • Add the chunky wedges to the pan of boiling water and parboil for 8-10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the sour cream and chive dip: Pour the soured cream into a small bowl, then add chives and stir. Chill the dip for 20-30 minutes before serving.
  • Drain the potato wedges and leave them to steam dry for a few minutes.
  • Transfer to a roasting tray and add the olive oil.  Sprinkle with the smoked paprika and then season with salt and pepper. Toss together ensuring that the potato wedges are coated with the olive oil, smoked paprika and seasoning, then spread out in a single layer.
  • Cook in the oven for approximately 30-35 minutes until they are golden, crisp and cooked through.

These homemade smoked paprika potato wedges are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside! They are perfect served with the reduced fat sour cream and chive dip. Satisfying every time!

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Fibromyalgia, recipes | Tagged | 71 Comments

Crafty Creatives Subscription Box

This year I’ve signed up for a few subscription boxes – I’m looking forward to trying new recipes and crafts. The Crafty Creatives subscription box offers subscribers the opportunity to learn new crafts or rediscover old ones: these boxes contain everything to make a whole project.  Every box is different. The company work with suppliers all over the country – often small businesses who are experts in their craft – and they provide kits from wet felting to jewellery making, mosaic to willow weaving.

I was excited to receive my first box this week.  I didn’t know what to expect because you don’t find out what’s in the box until you open it. It’s all part of the fun! So I opened the box to discover a pink drawstring bag, inside was a multipom kit. This kit contains everything (apart from scissors) to get me started and learn how to make multiple pompoms at once – reusable pompom maker, full instructions, 2 x 25g yarn, a chenille needle all packaged in a coordinating cotton drawstring bag (which may be decorated with the pompoms made). At first I was a little disappointed – pompoms! I hadn’t made pompoms since primary school but I was determined to relearn how to make them using the kit.

this one

Included in the kit is a brief history of the pompom. I’ve discovered that the word pompom comes from the French pompom – a loose decorative ball of fibrous material.  It’s interesting to read that Napoleon’s armies took inspiration from the Hungarians in the 18th Century and featured pompoms on their shakos caps to indicate regiment.  Traditional garments worn in South America were decorated in pompoms, using colours to portray symbolic meanings.  Roman clergymen had pompons on their caps to signal their order.  Closer to home – traditional Scottish dress can include a beret which features a pompom known as a ‘toorie’.  Pompoms were, and still are, a very thrifty way of creating decoration, as they can be made using any leftover yarn.

I spent a relaxing evening making my first pompoms and surprisingly I really enjoyed it. This kit is for anyone creative – I can use the pompoms in crafts, fashion, accessories, and soft furnishings.  I will continue having fun making different colour and size pompoms and decorating bags and cushions.  The cats are afraid that I will decorate them if they sit still long enough! :)

this one toothis one also

At £15 a month (no contract and not including postage) this box is worth a try.  I’m looking forward to next month’s box and discovering another new craft that I can share with you.

What craft would you like to learn?

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Fibromyalgia, subscriptions | Tagged , , | 75 Comments

Marinated Chilli and Lime Tuna Steaks

Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can help to protect against heart disease. These marinated chilli and lime tuna steaks are a quick, tasty and healthy meal.

2015-10-07 17_Fotor3

Ingredients

2 tuna steaks

Pepper for seasoning

1 tbs olive oil

Marinade

juice of 1 lime

chilli flakes

1 tsp of coriander

1 clove of garlic

Method

Make the marinade in a bowl by combining the juice of 1 lime, the chilli flakes, 1 teaspoon of coriander and 1 clove of garlic.

Place the tuna steaks in the marinade and turn to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

Heat a cast-iron griddle pan. Brush the tuna steaks with the oil and season with freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 2-3 mins on each side until the steaks are cooked to your liking. Do not overcook.

The marinated chilli and lime tuna steaks are delicious served with salad.

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Fibromyalgia, recipes | Tagged , | 97 Comments

Sweet Chilli Chicken Stir-fry

The great thing about cooking a stir-fry is that it’s one of the most flexible meals you can make – you can toss in whatever combination of meat, fish or vegetables that you have in the fridge! They are healthy, amazingly quick and bursting with flavour, so it’s little wonder that I love to cook them.

this oneand this onethis one toouse

 

Ingredients

Vegetables of your choice – cabbage, red onion, Edamame Beans, carrot, pepper, baby corn, mushrooms, broccoli florets, bean sprouts, sugar snap peas

400g diced chicken

1 medium red chilli, deseeded

1 tbsp vegetable oil or low-calorie cooking spray

Salt and pepper for seasoning

For the sauce

1 tbsp tomato puree

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

Method

  • Prepare the vegetables.
  • Make the sauce – mix the tomato puree, soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce in a small bowl.
  • Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large wok or non-stick frying pan until hot. Add the oil and stir-fry the chicken on a high heat until browned and almost cooked through.
  • Add your choice of vegetables, the red chilli and continue to stir-fry for 4-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until everything is piping hot.
  • Serve with egg noodles or fried rice and enjoy.

use too

This sweet chilli chicken stir-fry is deliciously filling, nutritious and loaded with incredible flavour.

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Fibromyalgia, recipes | Tagged , , | 82 Comments

6 Fantastic Reasons Why You Should Start Your Own Positivity Jar

I want to start 2016 positively! Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s (best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love) beautifully simple idea about keeping a happiness jar I’ve started filling what I’ve decided to call my positivity jar.

this one

Each day I write down on a piece of paper something positive that has happened.

It could be:

  • something that’s made me smile
  • a hug from a friend
  • a compliment I’ve received
  • an accomplished goal
  • a joke that made me giggle
  • memories worth remembering
  • a friend’s good news
  • my cats’ silly antics
  • the beauty of nature
  • something I’m grateful for

Whatever it is I write it down on a piece of paper, fold it up and put it in my positivity jar. We spend way too much time in life thinking about what we don’t have, or what we wish was different. Keeping a positivity jar is a wonderful practical way to appreciate what we have in our lives. We have so many positive things in our lives that we need to cherish each day. I love the idea of taking a moment each evening to focus on the positive aspects of my life, to reinforce the idea that, no matter how tough life with fibromyalgia is, it is worth living.

“Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”

― Kurt Vonnegut

When times are challenging or I’ve had a really bad pain day I can open my jar and read back on all those positive moments so far this year; I’m sure that they will bring a smile to my face.

and this

Here are 6 fantastic reasons why you should start your own positivity jar:

  1. It reminds you to focus on the positive aspects of your life – happiness is closer than you think.
  2. It stresses the importance of filling your life with appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
  3. It provides daily inspiration to keep you positive and smiling.
  4. It helps you to feel grateful for the wonderful things in your life.
  5. It encourages you to love the world around you every single day.
  6. It starts a simple positive habit.

Go find your jar now and treasure each day! I do :)

What will fill your positivity jar this year?

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

UK Fibromyalgia

Posted in Fibromyalgia, positivity | Tagged , , , , | 94 Comments

Making Positive Lifestyle Changes

The New Year is upon us and I am indulging in retrospection and re-evaluating the past year. I’m really pleased with what I’ve accomplished in my first 8 months of blogging. I have really enjoyed it, I’ve spoken to so many inspirational people and of course having one of my blog posts published in The Huffington Post was one of the highlights of this year.

Being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia has been a challenge but it’s made me stronger and more determined to enjoy life; my mantra is ‘with pain comes strength’. I’ve really enjoyed teaching myself how to cook and bake – this time last year I didn’t even own a wooden spoon and I hadn’t watched a full episode of ‘The Great British Bake Off’! Now I’m hooked and I’m loving trying out new recipes. It’s amazing how much has changed in the past year.

new year 3This year I am determined to make some more positive lifestyle changes, so I am sharing with you my New Year’s resolutions for 2016:

  • Stop procrastinating and be more productive. I actually bought a planner and I intend to use it.  I will be making lists and ticking them off!
  • Continue learning to cook and bake – I am going to finally sum up the courage to make meringues.
  • Learn new hobbies – make my own lip balm, face mask, candles, earrings etc. And of course blog about them.
  • Reduce stress in my life – try not to control the uncontrollable, look for the positives and learn to forgive.
  • Learn to take better photos and edit them too.
  • Have more frequent quality ‘me time’ – turn off my mobile phone and laptop.
  • Learn to be happier with my life – to find joy in the little things and not to let my problems overwhelm me.
  • Declutter – I am going to become a charity queen :)
  • Overcome my shyness and get to know new and interesting people.
  • Learn how to effectively use Pinterest.
  • Meditate more – to regularly use the meditation and relaxation apps on my phone.
  • And of course start eating more healthily :)

What are your resolutions for 2016?

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Blogging, Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, health, invisible illness, positivity | Tagged , , , , | 68 Comments

Malteser cheesecake – a slice of heaven

I love cheesecake, it’s a slice of heaven, a dessert that’s perfect in its simplicity. I adore the buttery digestive crust and smooth creamy filling; the divine taste and texture of cheesecake belies the fact that it is so easy to make. This simple no cook recipe from the BBC website really appealed to me – the addition of maltesers really enhances its delicious flavour.

2015-12-29 14_Fotor

Ingredients

200g digestive biscuits

75g unsalted butter

400g full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

300g mascarpone, at room temperature

200g icing sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

100g maltesers

Method

For the base:

  • Put the digestive biscuits into a plastic food bag and carefully crush the biscuits with a rolling pin.
  • Melt the butter in a medium pan and then add the crushed digestive biscuits – the melted butter must be thoroughly mixed through the biscuit crumbs. Spread the buttery crumbs over the base of a 23cm/9in springform 0r loose-bottomed tin and press firmly with the back of a metal spoon. Leave in the fridge to set for about half an hour to firmly set.

For the cream cheese mixture:

  • Combine the mascarpone and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Using a handheld mixer blend together until light and fluffy, then continue blending, adding the icing sugar – a little at a time. Then add the vanilla and blend until you have a very light and fluffy mixture.
  • Place the maltesers (try to refrain from eating more than 2!) in a plastic food bag and close. Bash the maltesers with a rolling pin to break them up. Fold half of the maltesers into the cheesecake mixture until well combined.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the biscuit base and gently level the surface with a plastic spatula. (Enjoy licking the spatula afterwards – it’s so yummy!)

Cover the cheesecake with cling film and leave to set in the fridge for at least four hours.

Just before serving, scatter the remaining crushed maltesers over the top of the cheesecake. Carefully release the catch of the springform tin, then slice up the cheesecake and serve to your lucky guests.

2015-12-29 14_Fotor1

This malteser cheesecake is a luscious dessert, there won’t be a crumb left.

2015-12-29 14_Fotor3

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Fibromyalgia | 65 Comments

Transform your Christmas leftovers into baked frittata

Frittata is a fantastic dish that will use up any leftovers from Christmas day. Not only is it extremely easy to make, it is delicious served hot or cold.

2015-12-25 20_Fotor2Ingredients

600-800g Christmas leftovers (or what you want to use up in your fridge) – ham, turkey, vegetables and roast potatoes

50g grated cheddar cheese

Chopped spring onions

8 eggs

1 tbsp chopped mixed herbs – parsley and thyme

Salt and pepper to season

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 200C.
  • Line an oven proof dish with parchment paper to stop the frittata from sticking
  • Arrange the Christmas leftovers and grated cheese evenly in the dish.
  • Beat the eggs, add the chopped spring onions and herbs, then pour over the Christmas leftovers.
  • Season with salt and pepper and bake for 30-40 mins until set and golden.
  • Slice into wedges and serve with a fresh salad. Enjoy!

frittata

Read my guest blog post about the nightmare of Christmas shopping on The Adultier Adult: http://theadultieradult.com/2015/12/26th-december-its-a-christmas-shopping-nightmare/

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Fibromyalgia, recipes | Tagged | 49 Comments

What’s on your Christmas day playlist?

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.  Christmas songs have been inescapable this month but unlike those who just want to punch Christmas in the face I actually love this time of year and I’m definitely feeling in a festive mood.

1

Christmas songs evoke special memories of my childhood in Ireland – the smell of dinner cooking, the twinkling of Christmas lights, and the loving warmth of my family.

Here’s my Christmas day playlist:

‘Fairytale of New York’ – The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

‘Last Christmas’ – Wham!

‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ – U2

‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ – Mariah Carey

‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ – Slade

‘8 Days of Christmas’ – Destiny’s Child

‘Driving Home for Christmas’ – Chris Rea

‘White Christmas’ – Bing Crosby

‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ – Harry Reser

‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ – Shakin’ Stevens

‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ – The Ronettes

‘Mistletoe and Wine’ – Cliff Richard

What’s on your Christmas day playlist?

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Christmas, Fibromyalgia | Tagged | 70 Comments

Top 10 Christmas movies

‘Tis the season for movies full of Christmas cheer. There’s nothing cosier than snuggling on the sofa with my cats and watching Christmas movies whilst indulging in hot chocolate and some nibbles.

2015-12-19 17_Fotor62015-12-19 17_Fotor7

Here are the ultimate in cuddly Christmas afternoon movies that will get you into the Christmas spirit.

1. Love Actually (2000) 

6695_front

Love is certainly all around in this heart-warming tale set in the lead up to Christmas in London. The intertwining love stories are bittersweet and humorous, there’s everything you need and want in a Christmas movie. I love it! It’s the best rom-com ever!

2. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) 

images (1)

This Frank Capra classic is uplifting without being saccharine. An angel helps a compassionate but despairing businessman by showing what life would have been like if he had never existed. It’s A Wonderful Life is the ultimate Christmas classic.

3. Elf (2003) elf-poster-

Elf is a good-natured family comedy; it is hilarious and uplifting.  Will Ferrell plays a man who was raised as an elf at the North Pole and is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

4. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) 

23723_front

Bridget (Renee Zellweger) embarks on a doomed affair with her silver tongued boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), but there is another man vying for her attention, the reserved lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) who wears the most hideous Christmas jumper I’ve ever seen. This is one of my favourite festive heart warmers.

5. A Christmas Carol (1951) 

25uml4z

This epic tale of three ghosts who make cantankerous Scrooge discover the true meaning of Christmas is the perfect Christmas movie. I love the 1951 version, Alastair Sim is outstanding as Scrooge.  Dickens would certainly approve.

6. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 

919gvMMYC4L._SL1500_

Miracle on 34th Street is a yearly tradition, I just have to watch it. Santa is on trial to prove he is the real deal.  It’s a wonderful Christmas story that warms my heart.

7. About a Boy (2002)

images

A coming-of-age tale, About a Boy is quite charming. Grumpy commitment-shy Will (Hugh Grant) is living off the proceeds of the Christmas song his father wrote, but he discovers the value of Christmas through his friendship with a boy called Marcus (Nicholas Hoult).

8. The Santa Clause (1994) 

2d_50618_0_TheSantaClause

Tim Allen stars in this festive comedy about an ordinary man who must step into Santa’s shoes after an accident.  This movie is the perfect Christmas treat for children and believers of all ages.

9. Gremlins (1984) 

gremlins-blu-ray-cover-18

Steven Spielberg’s classic horror comedy is about a cute and friendly little Mogwai, Gizmo, who is accidentally splashed with water and produces five new Mogwai. These gremlins have heightened intelligence, they can replicate themselves and are menacing creatures who cause no end of destruction to the small town of Kingston Falls.

10. Home Alone (1990) 

91XoRypqKJL._SL1500_

An 8-year-old, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), is accidentally left behind while his family goes on holiday for Christmas and has to defend his home against bumbling burglars. These idiotic burglars have to battle Kevin’s ingenious booby traps. You can’t get through Christmas without seeing it at least once.

What’s your favourite Christmas movie?

Keep smiling :)

Claire

x

Posted in Christmas, Fibromyalgia | Tagged , | 69 Comments